Source: USEF

The duo of tornadic storms that devastated the southeast United States last week left a wake of splintered wood, shattered glass, downed power lines, despair and shock for the residents of towns like West Liberty, Kentucky and Harrisburg, Illinois to clean up and recover from. As if that weren't enough, one of the region's heaviest snowfalls of the year came down on Sunday night and further hindered an already difficult recovery process. For some effected residents the physical and monetary burdens of recovery are intensified by the need to care for their horse or horses. It is in times like these that the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) calls on you to aid them by donating to the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund.

With the support of USEF CEO John Long we ask that equestrians, equestrian fans, and all people who share a love for horses make a donation to the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund. These recent storms have struck the heart of horse country and have made the cost of relocating, feeding, and caring for horses overwhelming. With your help we can do our part to make sure horses are not overlooked, forgotten, or abandoned and help to relieve the burden of effected horse owners and caretakers in this and in future times of crisis. To most effectively deliver aid this fund was established with the goal of getting horses the help they need, when they need it. "It is important to understand this fund is a dollar in and a dollar out," adds John Long, "nothing is withheld." Any donation to the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund equates to timely and efficient help for horses and horse owners.

Having originated during the aftermath of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund was formed to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of horses during trying times. Money donated to the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund is used to prepare for disasters and assists equids of any breed who are victims of disasters including but not restricted to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, blizzards and fires. Money donated to the fund is held by the USEF in an account restricted for this purpose. Money from the fund can only be disbursed upon the authorization of the USEF Chief Executive Officer.

Donations may be made online at www.usef.org by going to https://www.usef.org/_AUAIFrames/DisasterRelief/DisasterRelief.aspx.

If you wish to contribute by check, please make it out to the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund and mail it to: The United States Equestrian Federation, 4047 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email [email protected], or call (859) 971-2277.